Music festivals mean music from star headliners, a festive atmosphere, parties in unusual places and a great mood. In addition to performances, various exhibitions, film screenings, conferences and seminars are often held. Festivals are becoming more interesting and popular, new ones appear every year, and it’s easy to get confused in this variety. We’ve picked the top 10 to go this spring.
1. Time Warp techno festival in Mannheim, Germany
Photo: Time Warp
When: April 1
Time Warp is one of the oldest techno festivals in Europe. It lasts one day, but for another week the city hosts parties, exhibitions, lectures and master classes for DJs. On the day of the festival, the best DJs from around the world play sets for 15 hours, accompanied by an impressive laser and light show. This year’s festival headliners are Adam Beyer, Nina Kraviz, Dixon, Sven Väth, Jamie Jones, Solomun, Tale of Us.
2. Rewire Festival in The Hague, Netherlands
Photo: Parcifal
When: April 6 – 8
Rewire is a festival where the best of modern music is boldly mixed: jazz with electronic rock and experimental pop next to an orchestra playing neo-classical music. In addition to concerts, the festival will include seminars and conferences on contemporary art and music, film screenings and theatrical performances. This year’s headliners will be Panda Bear, Floating Points, Suuns, Nina Kraviz, Laurie Anderson, SOPHIE, James Holden, Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein, Fatima Al Qadiri, Arto Lindsay.
3. Coachella Music and Arts Festival, Indio, California, USA
Photo: coachella.com
When: 13 – 15 and 20 – 22 April
Coachella is produced by Golden Voice in Indio, California. This is one of the largest music festivals in the world, where about 600 thousand spectators and more than a thousand artists and musicians come. The main musical genres are rock, indie, hip-hop, electro and pop, which are played on several huge stages. In addition to concerts, the festival hosts art exhibitions and creates sculptures and installations. Headliners: The Weeknd, Beyonce, Eminem, Cardi B, the War On Drugs, Vince Staples, St. Vincent, David Byrne, Tyler The Creator, Haim, SZA.
4. Lost and found festival in Malta
Photo: lostandfoundfestival.com
When: May 3 – 6
Lost and found is a great hip-hop, electronic and grime music festival in Malta. Most of the performers are British bands. In addition to the main venues, participants will perform in medieval castles, on ships and on floating stages. Headliners: Annie Mac, Jamie xx, Bicep, J Hus, Mike Skinner, The Martinez Brothers, Patrick Topping, Four Tet, Hot Since 82.
5. Electronic music festival Magnetic in Prague, Czech Republic
Photo: www.fotovrzal.cz
When: May 5
Magnetic, Europe’s largest indoor festival, takes place at the PVA Expo Praha club, which can accommodate more than 10,000 visitors. From 7 pm to 7 am the most interesting EDM (electronic dance music) artists will play in the club: Axwell Λ Ingrosso, Will Sparks, Third Party, John Cutler.
6. Nuits Sonores Festival in Lyon, France
Photo: Matty Adame/Unsplash.com
When: May 6 – 13
Nuits Sonores is an interdisciplinary festival in Lyon, which will take place in 40 venues located in different parts of the city: from museums and clubs to factory premises, monasteries and empty swimming pools. Electro, hip-hop, indie rock and pop bands will perform, as well as multimedia and visual artists. Festival headliners: Jennifer Cardini, Daniel Avery, Four Tet, Josey Rebelle, Pearson Sound, James Holden, Mozhgan, Maceo Plex, Dopplereffekt, Josh Cheon.
7. Boston Calling Festival in Boston, USA
Photo: bostoncalling.frontgatetickets.com
When: May 25 – 27
Boston Calling was first held in 2013, but has already received many awards. This year, multiple stages at Harvard Stadium in Boston will feature music from all genres, from hip-hop to alternative rock. In addition to musicians, the best stand-up comedians in America will perform at the festival. The headliners announced are Eminem, The Killers, Jack White, Queens of the Stone Age, The National, Paramore, Tyler, The Creator, Fleet Foxes, St. Vincent.
8. Alternative music festival Villette Sonique in Paris, France
Photo: melis/Shutterstock.com
When: May 25 – 31
Villette Sonique will be held this year for the 13th time in the Parisian park of La Villette. During the day, free lectures, meetings with musicians and theatrical performances are held there, and in the evening noise, indie rock and electronic music are played on seven stages. In addition to well-known bands, every year the organizers select about 30 young bands from Europe. This year’s festival headliners will be Cabaret Voltaire, Helena Hauff, Boredoms, Chassol, The Flaming Lips, Zombie Zombie, No Roses, Jagwar Ma, Todd Terje.
9. We are FSTVL Music and Dance Festival in Upminster, UK
Photo: www.lukedyson.photography
When: May 25 – 27
We are FSTVL takes place in the town of Upminster near London and lasts 48 hours without interruption. It has already been awarded several times as “Best Dance Festival in the UK”. During the music marathon, about 300 bands and DJs will perform in 30 arenas, playing electronic dance music, house, techno and drum and bass. The organizers also announced that everyone will be able to get married in the inflatable church for free. Headliners: Andy C, Carl Cox, Eric Prydz, DJ EZ, Marco Carola, Gorgon City, Joseph Capriati, Loco Dice, Sigma.
10. Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, Spain
Photo:
Luuk Wouters/Unsplash.com
When: May 30 – June 3
Primavera Sound is one of the main festivals of rock, indie and alternative music, it takes place on the seashore, in the Forum Park in Barcelona. It attracts 200,000 spectators and about 300 bands from 10 countries. On the occasion of the festival, the city hosts conferences, lectures and film and animation screenings during the day, and after-parties after the concerts. Headliners announced: Arctic Monkeys, Björk, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, The National, Lorde, Migos, A$AP Rocky, Jane Birkin.
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Preview photo: coachella.com
